REFERS TO ATTEMPTS TO EXERT INFLUENCE ON THE FORMATION OR IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC POLICY. LOBBYING AS AN ACTIVITY IS CARRIED OUT BY A VARIETY OF ACTORS RANGING FROM INTEREST GROUPS THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIVISIONS OF LARGE FIRMS TO FOREIGN EMBASSIES.

Scope note source

OXFORD DICTIONARY OF POLITICS

History note

TERM CREATED SEPTEMBER 1989. PREVIOUSLY THE TERM "INTERPERSONAL INFLUENCE" WOULD HAVE BEEN USED.